The
National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution was organized on April 30, l889 --
the l00th anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as our nation's first President.
We have used the acronym SAR to identify ourselves for over l00 years. The SAR was conceived as a
fraternal and civic society composed of lineal descendants of the men who wintered at Valley
forge, signed the Declaration of Independence, fought in the battles of the American Revolution,
served in the Continental Congress, or otherwise supported the cause of American Independence.
The National Society was chartered by an Act of the United States Congress on June 6, l906. The
charter was signed by President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a member of the SAR. The charter
authorizes the granting of charters to societies of the various states and territories and
authorizes the state societies to charter chapters within their borders.

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

The DAR, founded in 1890, is a volunteer women's
service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American
history, and securing America's future through better education for children.

As the most inclusive lineal society in the country, DAR boasts 170,000
members in 3,000 chapters across the United States and internationally.

SONS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR

The
Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War was a creation of the Grand
Army of the Republic (GAR) which was formed in 1866. Wanting to pass on
its heritage, the GAR in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania created a Corps of Cadets
in 1878 which later became the Sons of Veterans of the United States of
America (SV). The SV units functioned much as National Guard units and actually
served along with state militia during the Spanish American War. In 1904,
the SV elected to become a patriotic education society and in 1925 changed
its name to Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW). However, to
keep the military aspect alive, the SUVCW created within the organization
the Sons of Veterans Reserve (SVR) which was carried on the Army rolls as
a Reserve contingent. Some SVR units served with the Army during World War
I. After World War I, the SVR was listed as a training company of the U.S.
Army. In more recent years, the SVR's mission has become historic, ceremonial,
and commemorative. Prior to disbanding and before the death of its last
member, the GAR officially designated the SUVCW as its successor and heir
to its remaining property. The final Encampment of the Grand Army of the
Republic was held in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1949 and the last member,
Albert Woolson died in 1956 at the age of 109 years.

DAUGHTERS OF UNION VETERANS OF THE CIVIL WAR

May 30,
1885 ~ Five young women, Harriett Knapp, Frances Merwin, Olive Howard, Eva Merwin, and Bertha
Martin, stood at the edge of the Massillon, Ohio cemetery while Memorial Day services were held.
They watched as their brothers and other young men, members of the Sons of Veterans, honored
their fathers who had so valiantly fought for the Union Cause in the Civil War. They decided to
form a group of daughters of Union Veterans so that they too could honor their fathers and other
Union Veterans. They agreed to meet June 3, 1885 at the home of Eva Merwin. These young ladies
were aged 15 and 16. It was from this beginning that The Massillon Daughters of Veterans grew to
be Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-1865, Inc., a national, federally
chartered, organization.

MASONIC LODGE

Freemasonry, a worldwide fraternal organization, often
calls itself "a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory and
illustrated by symbols." Its members are joined together by high ideals,
of both a moral and metaphysical nature (and, in the majority of branches,
by a common belief in a Supreme Being). Freemasonry is an "esoteric
art," in that certain aspects of its internal work are not generally
revealed to the public. Masons give numerous reasons for this, one of which
is that Freemasonry uses an initiatory system of degrees to explore ethical
and philosophical issues, and this system is less effective if the observer
knows beforehand what will happen.

EASTERN STAR

The women's auxiliary to the Masonic Lodge

ODD FELLOWS

In 17th century England,
it was odd to find people organized
for the purpose of giving aid to those in need and of pursuing projects
for the benefit of all mankind. Those who belonged to such an organization
were called "Odd Fellows." Odd Fellows are also known as "The
Three Link Fraternity" which stands for Friendship, Love and Truth.

REBEKAHS

Odd Fellowship became the
1st national fraternity to include
both men and women when it adopted the beautiful Rebekah Degree on September
20, 1851. This degree is based on the teachings found in the Holy Bible,
and was written by the Honorable Schuyler Colfax who was Vice President
of the United States during the period 1868-1873. Odd Fellows and Rebekahs
were also the first fraternal organization to establish homes for our senior
members and for orphaned children.

WOODMEN OF THE WORLD (WOW)

Woodmen was one of the first fraternal benefit societies
in the United States. Founded in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 6, 1890, by Joseph
Cullen Root, the Society had a humble beginning with very little capital
and no office space.

It was also reported that Root's idea for "Woodmen" came
from a speech he heard about woodsmen clearing away forests to provide
shelter for their families. Others speculated that Root visualized himself
as the root that would grow into a shelter, protecting members from financial
disaster.

The Latin motto, "Dum Tacet Clamat" translates as "Though Silent, He Speaks." I
believe the motto might be based in Biblical principles: "But when thou doest alms, let not thy
left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which
seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly." Matthew 6:3-4

ROYAL NEIGHBORS

The women's auxiliary to the Modern Woodmen of America.

IMPROVED ORDER OF RED MEN

The
Fraternity was founded in 1765 and was originally known as the Sons of Liberty. These
patriots concealed their identities and worked "underground" to help establish freedom and
liberty in the Early Colonies. They patterned themselves after the great Iroquois Indian nation
and its democratic governing body. Their system with elected representatives to governing tribal
councils had been in existence for several centuries.

DEGREE OF POCAHONTAS

The women's auxiliary to the Improved Order of Red Men.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS

The Knights of
Pythias is a social brotherhood
founded at Washington, D.C., February 19, 1864, by Justus Henry Rathbone
and four others, to promote the principals of friendship, charity, and benevolence
(FCB). The fundamental tenants of the order are "toleration in religion,
obedience to law, and loyalty to government."

THREE GENTLEMEN IN THEIR FRATERNAL
REGALIA

WOODMEN OF THE WORLD

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS

ODD FELLOWS

The photos of the Woodsman of the World and the Mason
were contributed with permission by Dave from his site at Phoenixmasonry
Masonic Museum.
The photo of the Knight of Pythias was contributed by Harris Hill with
special permission and is not to be reproduced in any way.

PERSONAL NOTES

My grandfather, Robert Lee Russell, was an Odd Fellow and my mom, Marian Russell
Koska Elgin, was a Rebekah. I still have
Grandpa's old Odd Fellows book.

I remember how lovely Mom looked in her long white Rebekah gown
and wish I had a photo of her like that. She wore special earrings and
a necklace that she never wore for anything else. I don't believe they
were official Rebekah jewelry, but they looked impressive, nonetheless.

There was an Odd Fellows ~ Rebekah hall above one of the stores in my
home town of Plainview, MN. There were several occasions when Mom had
me perform on the piano for social events. I remember waiting outside
the hall and falling asleep on a big old couch while the meeting went
on. When it was over, women went to the kitchen and prepared food and
coffee for the social hour. I remember a woman breaking an egg into the
huge old coffee pot and I couldn't figure why she was doing that!

The hall is still there but I don't know if it's in use anymore. The store
below has been turned into a very nice restaurant: "The Rebekah." They
serve the best tomato soup I've ever had, glorious sandwiches and cappuchino.
Lining the wall are old display cabinets filled with regalia and memorabilia.
There are many photos of the organizations on the walls, and the old piano
I played on is proudly displayed on a platform in the window.